There were hopes of getting both a big run in as well as weights today, but with the time constraint that didn't happen. Sorry Meredith/Brian, I was really hoping (wanting and needing) I could get into AE today.
This run (and every run until race day) was very important. I'm at the weakest state mentally, there just isn't much left in the area of "pushing yourself to go harder." Maybe this heat is a part of it, maybe the humidity, maybe a touch of too many marathon training plans, maybe it's just that I'm so close. Whatever it is, I'm a mental wimp. I'm okay with walking whenever I feel the need to, I have no desire to push myself, I need to be running with someone who'll push me but can't find anyone, and I just give in way too easily. So, if I'm ever going to get to race day with an ounce of confidence, I will need to push beyond the limits of my mental state.
Today's run was a 9.5 mile anaerobic threshold run with 4x1000 repeats (4 min recovery). Since my running didn't begin until 9:30 ish, that meant that the sun/heat were already an issue. My plan was to run 6 miles on the Wa Duke trail (for hills), then run over to the Duke track for the 4x1000's, and a cool down jog back. Instead, I left the hills after 3 miles and headed to the track to get the sprints in before the heat killed my hydration status and the sun burnt me to a crisp. Since Brian told me to stay under 4 min. on each one, that was my plan (never done a 1K before, so no idea how long it would take me). Considering I finished the first one in 4:21, I was skeptical as to whether I could do a sub 4. Second try was a 4:13, but I was definitely winded! While walking back to my "start" area, a man approached me and asked me what my plan was for the track today. After telling him my ridiculous plan, he then wanted to know what I was training for. Seems silly to be out running sprints in the heat of the day for no good reason, so I was glad I could at least tell him something. Turns out, he's the strength/speed/agility coach of the Duke men's football team. Funny! Nice conversation about conditioning and football! Anyway, it was also a good break (excuse) from the track workout. The last two were awful, so finished in 4:28 and 4:31 and felt like my innards were going to spread themselves on the track.
Here's where the mental struggle surfaced. My plan was for 9.5 miles, I had only completed about 5.5. That meant I still needed to run around that trail again!! You can't even believe the mental battle going on in my head!! All out war! Literally, I had to say to myself, "just run to that bridge... just run to that tree....just get to the top of that hill....just one more mile." One foot in front of the other, pushing the negativity out of my head, it was all I could do to finish. BUT, the fact is that I finished!!! There was a sense of accomplishment after finishing and that's a great thing.
I'm mentally tougher for finishing.
3 comments:
When I said 4 min 1K's I was only joking! Glad you tried to get that time anyway but probably a little stretch... hope to see you soon in the gym!
See, this is why I need to find a competitive running group/program!! I'll do what someone says to do, run the speed someone else does, and do more than I think I'm capable of doing...I just need the positive peer pressure. :) I guess that's why I like the Godiva Wed. night track thing, it pushes me!
Glad you said 4min, otherwise I would not have had a goal in mind. :)
Thinking about it.. probably 4:20 or less is the most accurate goal for you. That would be around a 7 min mile pace... much more attainable. But not to say that 4 mins is out of the realm...
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